President-elect LeeAnn opened the meeting with our land acknowledgement, and the singing of O Canada.

Sarge Lyle introduced our guests: Bill Spinie, a Rotarian visiting from Calgary, and Dr. Payam Peymani, tonight’s speaker.

Chair Announcements

Jim reminded us to sell tickets to Lobsterfest. 

We have set an aspirational sales goal this year, and there is only one month left until sales close.

The Pride Parade will be held on June 7th and everyone is encouraged to attend, either by marching or watching. Larry Vickar is providing a float truck, and a few will be able to ride in the back if it’s too far to walk. President David has more information on where to find the Rotary float and when, so contact him if you are planning to attend.

We received a request to fund a children’s camp in Ukraine.

Our speaker was Dr. Payam Peymani, Pharm. D., PhD

Dr. Peymani started his education in Iran, and then moved to Switzerland and later the Netherlands.

During COVID his wife saw an ad for the University of Manitoba and encouraged him to apply. During COVID, few visas were being issued, but theirs’ arrived within two weeks. After one year, his family told him ‘We want to stay here.’

In 2025, Dr. Peymani established his laboratory. HSC has the best data as many provinces are willing to work together. He also maintains an international network with Estonia, Spain and the Netherlands.

His research areas include:

• Medical safety and effectiveness
• Maternal and child health
• Diabetes and cardiovascular health
• Real-world health data and AI supported research
• Improving health care decision-making and policy

Why he does it:

• Safer medications for children, pregnant people, seniors and people with chronic conditions
• Better decisions
• Long-term impact

Current Projects:

• HIV medication exposure during pregnancy and risk of ADHD in children
• Risk of congenital malformations associated with parental exposure to anti-seizure medications
• Trend and safety of HIB medications among both the pregnant and the general population in Manitoba
• Trends and safety of new anti-diabetes and obesity medication such as GLP-1 in adolescents.

Dr. Peymani can be reached at Payam.Peymani@umanitoba.ca

Happy bucks

Jack W. enjoyed his cottage on the weekend, and discovered a family of six foxes under a shed. He also spotted a loon and a bear.

Dave M. is happy to be out of the hospital.

Cathy enjoyed shouting ‘True North’ to Mark Chipman in person, at D5550 conference.

Glenn will be at the family cottage in Minaki until the end of July, but he will return briefly for Lobsterfest.

Alan enjoyed cheering for an eastern team (the Habs) for the first time at last night’s hockey game.

Ed Thompson enjoyed the district conference and told us that our contributions to Shelter Box were recognized.

50/50 Draw

Cathy had the lucky ticket but no blue marble.

Coming up

May 18  No meeting; Victoria Day

May 25  Maj. Paddy Douglass (ret.) speaking on his study of Indigenous contributions to the Canadian Armed Forces